$9000 a pound? Some reporter needs to check street prices because that is double and triple what it actually costs.

5:53 pm April 9, 2012

@lol wut wrote:

Sorry I'm late. Yes, separation of Church and State. I'm not a fan of Marijuana but they have a right to practice their religion (as long as I don't have to smell the stuff).

6:38 pm April 9, 2012

anotherthought wrote:

I'm sure we can find some religion that threw perfectly good virgins into volcanoes to practice their faith. Must society cut them some slack because it is the ancient practice of their "religion"?

6:57 pm April 9, 2012

Jose wrote:

The Feds have been looking for a graceful way out of their war on marijuana. Maybe this is the beginning.

9:43 pm April 9, 2012

Joe Wolf wrote:

@ ummm

That number comes from the DEA I am sure, you see whenever they seize cannabis, they evaluate it's value based on what it would sell for in small quantities on the street.

10:51 pm April 9, 2012

Richard P Steeb wrote:

I'll be damned if I quit smoking Cannabis. Does that qualify?

1:20 am April 10, 2012

@anotherthought wrote:

Note the part where is says "as long as I don't have to smell the stuff". In other words, as long as it's not effecting others.

4:26 am April 10, 2012

Freeman wrote:

Just legalize the stuff already. I'm so tired of the insane amount of money that's being spent simply on the federal level to slap this stuff out of the hands of Americans as if we were all children. White collars telling the blue collars how they should live their lives. Incredible. I can see both sides of this argument but when it comes down to it its all about personal freedom. They're like my parents used to be when I was nine, I'd ask why I couldn't have that thing I wanted and they'd always have the same answer: "Because I said so". Now I'm an adult I'm asking more intelligent questions like "why can't I smoke marijuana in my own home as an alternative to the standard poisons that are legal like alcohol and tobacco?". Their answer? "Because we said so".

11:43 am April 10, 2012

FED UP! wrote:

@Freeman

Your comment is the most intelligent above mine. If these people on here who are reading this article and only seeing a religious rights violation, then they need to rethink their perspectives. This is a HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION! Our individual rights are being taken one by one by the current administration. No one on here has even recognized the fact that cannabis (marijuana) KILLS CANCER. The government has known this since the '70s, but withheld this from the public so that pharmaceutical companies could profit from peddling poisons to us and our children. Please take some time out of your day and educate yourselves more on this subject. Google it, or look it up on YouTube! Not to mention the EPICLY FAILED war on drugs! Should our government maintain the illegal status on cannabis, they are in effect SUPPORTING DRUG CARTELS AROUND THE WORLD! I'm through supporting a failure. Insanity is described as continued actions which have failed, and expecting different results. And people have called me crazy for changing my thinking!

The so called "drug war" is unconstitutional and an infringement where American's right to privacy is concerned. All any cop has to do is say that he/she smells Marijuana, whether they really smell it or not, and then people are strip searched. Putting an end to this stupidity is so long overdue that it's become pathetic.

1:53 pm April 10, 2012

Alexis M. wrote:

This makes me sick. Mooney's sickos are NOT Native Americans. There is NO Native American Church that uses Marijuana. Olkavuea is organized under false pretenses. It's important to remember they do NOT represent the Native American Church .

2:27 pm April 10, 2012

Hokulani Cheneviere wrote:

On July 8th 2010, Cannabis minister and founder of the THC-Ministry/Hawaii Cannbis Ministry, Roger Christie and 13 others were arrested for production and distribution of cannabis. Reverend Christie operated in full open view in the community of Hilo, Hawaii and was licensed specifically as a cannabis sacrament minister in the State of Hawaii yet the US government spent millions in surveillance over a two year period and have held Roger without bail for nearly two years. Many wonder why Roger Christie is such a threat to humanity that he would be held without bond for this long. But as usual, its a case of following the $$$$. The US government MUST protect the interests of the corporations such as Pharmaceutical, Petro-chemical, forestry and all the other industries that stand to lose if hemp/cannabis were re-legalized. Its a fascinating history for this much vilified plant. Roger Christie was spreading information that has been verified and documented regarding the spiritual use of Cannabis. Others who threaten the interests of the US government are also muzzled and incarcerated such as Eddie Lepp and Marc Emery. Roger is one of many political prisoners that the government deems a threat to our interests. For more information read this comprehensive look at Roger Christie and his ministry. The ministry has strong ties to the Native American Church which is why I am tying the two together.http://hokulanicheneviere.blogspot.com/2011/01/is-hawaii-cannabis-minister-danger-to.html

Rightful jurisdiction by any court over any "herb bearing seed" does not exist. Only tyranny would prohibit a "strategic resource" "of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country."

Cannabis isn't illegal, it's essential.

Free Roger Christie! and all Cannabis POWs

4:30 pm April 10, 2012

JoeDaWg wrote:

Why not? Catholics use wine in religious ceremonies. And wine is a real drug, its addictive and it kills. The zealots (idiots) remind me of drunken bum who has a problem with another bum drinking energy drinks. Tameka look in the mirror before you start throwing rocks you fake religious clowns. Your an embarrassment to real Christmas like myself.

7:11 pm April 10, 2012

Davesta wrote:

@anotherthought: you're equating allowing people to consume plants with allowing people to murder others? Seriously? I think there is something horribly wrong with you!

12:46 am April 11, 2012

westvalleymeds wrote:

Lol....yeah....murdering someone.....and ingestion of a plant by a consenting adult is like comparing apples to grenades ......your a moron.....and like the other guys said....this is about human rights...who cares if its a valid religion or not....it should not matter who you are...yoir an adult with the right to do what you want to your body.....

5:34 am April 11, 2012

Taxedtoeath wrote:

The religious use of cannabis is not unique to native Americans, many cultures and religions use cannabis, The government's prohibition of marijuana is but a blip on the thousands of years that man has used cannabis medically, and spiritually. The prohibition of cannabis is about money and control, it has nothing to do with protecting society. The prohibition itself has caused great harm in arresting over 750,000 Americans every year most for possession. Removing many from the work force and their families is the greatest danger cannabis is to this country.

This is a civil rights issue and one of the greatest of our day. Mr. Mooney may have opened the door but once it's open it will not be long before all Americans walk through it. It's not about liking marijuana it's about freedom to decide for ourselves what is the religion we choose or the medicine that works best for us. Those decisions are none of the government business in a free society. We work, we pay taxes, and are part of this country, it's way past time the government stop singling us out for discrimination because of our medical. religious, or even recreational use of cannabis. This discrimination has filled our jails and divided our country and devastated our economy We need each other more than we have in a very long time. The last time I helped my neighbor he didn't ask me if I use marijuana he said thank you. We have serious problems, adults using marijuana responsibly is not one of them. If you don't like marijuana don't use it but don't tell me how to live my life, you just may need me sooner than you think.

2:06 am April 12, 2012

Rosa Maria wrote:

Alexis, the dark side I feel in you. Before you attempt to share your hate, explain to me what "Rosa Maria" is?

3:16 pm April 12, 2012

john wrote:

This is why marijuana needs to be legal. There are those that are also spiritual but not religious or their religion does not fit any mainstream views. It is also sad that the court would have to rule on every case of this manner and is a waste of money. There is nothing wrong with marijuana if used correctly and money spent on its prohibition should be used on education of the plant and its proper uses. Marijuana kills cancer. Marijuana also heals or alleviates many other serious illnesses. In a moral religion, I am against the prohibition of a plant which helps solve a huge number of our health, energy, and industrial problems and see it as a sacrilege to openly deny people a given right to health and prosperity.

7:49 am April 20, 2012

Sem wrote:

Civil Rights vs Religious Rights. A very complex lawsuit, to say the least.

Reverend Christie operated in full open view in the community of Hilo, Hawaii and was licensed specifically as a cannabis sacrament minister in the State of Hawaii yet the US government spent millions in surveillance over a two year period and have held Roger without bail for nearly two years. Many wonder why Roger Christie is such a threat to humanity that he would be held without bond for this long. http://www.birthdaygiftideasformen.org/

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